Results 1 to 8 of 8
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02 December 2019 #1
- Join Date
- 16 Nov 2019
- Location
- California
- Posts
- 11
- Saab(s)
- 2001 9-5 SE Wagon
A5/B5
I'm trying to purchase oil for my'01 9-5 SE 3.0 V6. The threads I've read are saying A3/B3. I can't find any like that. Just A5/B5. ???? 🤬🤬🤬🤬
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02 December 2019 #2
- Join Date
- 24 Oct 2019
- Location
- Collierville TN
- Posts
- 48
- Saab(s)
- 2007 Saab 9-5 Aero Sportcombi
A5/B5 is almost arguably better than A3/B3/B4.
ACEA is Europe’s version of the API, albeit with stricter requirements. You will notice that most American oils don’t use the ACEA ratings at all. My Saab says Mobil 1 recommend on the rad support and that’s a A1/B1 oil. The higher the number, the better the fuel mileage and long lasting properties. In Europe the oil change intervals are very high, 10k-20k. Those oils are always A5/B5. You can use A5/B5 in anything. I have read on one website that A3/B4 offers better protection albeit at the cost of fuel efficiency vs A5/B5.
Pennzoil Ultra Platinum is A5/B5.
Castrol euro formula is A3/B4
Liqui-Moly most oils are A3/B4 or better.
Mobil 1 is A1/B1 w/exception to Euro formula
Can you use lower grade synthetic oils? Yes. Your oil change interval just has to be sooner.
If you are changing your oil under 6k miles it doesn’t even matter what spec it is.
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02 December 2019 #3
- Join Date
- 10 Apr 2017
- Location
- Denham, England
- Posts
- 541
- Saab(s)
- 2011 2.0 9-5 Aero
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03 December 2019 #4
- Join Date
- 24 Oct 2019
- Location
- Collierville TN
- Posts
- 48
- Saab(s)
- 2007 Saab 9-5 Aero Sportcombi
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03 December 2019 #5
- Join Date
- 10 Apr 2017
- Location
- Denham, England
- Posts
- 541
- Saab(s)
- 2011 2.0 9-5 Aero
Last edited by GeoffR; 05 December 2019 at 12:25.
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04 December 2019 #6
- Join Date
- 16 Nov 2019
- Location
- California
- Posts
- 11
- Saab(s)
- 2001 9-5 SE Wagon
Thank you. It was frustrating not knowing if I could use the A5/B5. The owner's manual doesn't say anything about it just to use fully synthetic oil. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply. Have Happy Holidays.
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05 December 2019 #7
- Join Date
- 10 Apr 2017
- Location
- Denham, England
- Posts
- 541
- Saab(s)
- 2011 2.0 9-5 Aero
The handbook for the 2007 9-5 says the following:
Approved engine oils:
All gasoline engines - Fully synthetic engine oil - approved
against the GM-LL-A025 specification - with viscosity
SAE 0W-30 or SAE 0W-40.
Oil used at, or in-between, service must be approved against the
engine´s specified classification to render possible the usage of
Saab Automobile AB specified service intervals.
For optimum performance Saab recommends the use of Saab
Long Life Turbo Oil 0W-30 or Mobil 1 0W-40 European Car formula,
but other oils approved against the above specification
and with proper SAE viscosity 0W-30 or 0W-40 may also be
used.
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05 December 2019 #8
Dave T. Super Moderator
- Join Date
- 03 Aug 2010
- Location
- near Seattle, Washington
- Posts
- 1,515
- Saab(s)
- 1999 9-3SE (2013-2015), 2005 9-3 (2005-2013), 1990 900 (1990-2003)
Oil keeps changing. For example, Mobil 1 0W-40 after about 2017 is not the same as 2017 and before. It's similar. For example, Mobil 1 0W-40 meets Mercedes Benz 229.3 specification for both the old and also the new formula. However, BMW LL-01 is on the old Mobil 1 0W-40 but not the post-2017 Mobil 1 0W-40. You probably could use it with a BMW with no problems at all. Saab had a GM-LL-01-A specification but GM doesn't pay for it anymore and also GM has a new name called Dexos or something like that.
I would use an ACEA A5/B5 without hesitation.
There are a few times where a new or higher number specification is not compatible with the old. For example, DOT5 brake fluid shouldn't be mixed with DOT4 brake fluid. DOT 5 is some sort of silicone based fluid.
On a different oil subject, I have had free oil for several years. I entered a contest with Mobil 1 and won! I got 4 cases of 6 quart bottles (24). It was a contest that few people probably entered. Later, there was a promotion to try Pennzoil Platinum Plus Euro and I got some of that free. All the free oil will be gone by next year.